Borshaar Tana Rickshaw (Coaster)

Hand-pulled rickshaws, known locally as tana rickshaws, are an iconic and essential mode of transportation in Kolkata, particularly during the rainy season. Despite being deemed archaic and facing legal attempts at prohibition since 2005-2006, they remain indispensable for navigating the city’s waterlogged streets. When heavy monsoon rains flood the narrow streets of North and Central Kolkata, making them impassable for cars, taxis, and autos, tana rickshaws act as the only reliable, functional mode of transport. These rickshaws help keep passengers elevated above the stagnant, dirty rainwater. They are frequently used to transport school children, elderly residents, and goods like vegetables or medicines through knee-deep water.